Latching device for hatch covers or the like



Aug. 17, 1965 E. H. ISAKSSON LATCHING DEVICE FOR HATCH COVERS OR THELIKE Filed Sept. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7, 1965 E. H. ISAKSSON3,200,785

LA'I'GHING DEVICE FOR HATCH COVERS OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 8, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 F|G.3 FIG.4

United States Patent 3,260,785 LATJHING DEVKCE FUR HATQIH CUVERS OR THELEKE Erik Holger Isalrsson, Goteborg, Sweden, assignor to Al:-tiebolaget Gotaverhen, Getehorg, Sweden, 21 corporation of weden FiledSept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,659 Claims priority, application .elweden(let. it), 1963, 11,1ll7/63 2 Claims. (ill. 114-293) Different types oflatching devices for hatch covers or similar closure means have beenproposed, which contain parts cooperating through screw-, wedgeoreccentric action. A common disadvantage with many of these devices isthat they consist of separable parts, which are connected in lockingposition only. These devices are costly to manufacture and diificult toutilize, and as they usually are detachably connected to the coaming orthe cover, respectively, they are easily lost when the cover is open.Another disadvantage is the corroding influence of the weather,especially on such devices which include a screw and nut member.

One object of the invention is to obtain a latching device whichincludes a complete fitting unit for each point where locking is desiredand which is designed to be permanently secured to the coaming.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a latching device whereaccidental opening of the fitting due to actions uncalled for areunlikely to occur.

A further object of the invention is to obtain a fitting which is cheapto manufacture and easy to operate.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a hatch cover.

FIGURE 2 ShOWs a section adjacent a latching device through the coamingwith the cover in closed position.

FIGURE 3 shows the same details, as seen from the outside of thecoaming.

FIGURE 4 shows part of a lever on a larger scale.

In the drawing 1 denotes the coaming which at its top part isstrengthened by means of an angle bar 2 forming a horizontal flangerunning along at least two sides of the coaming. This carries a rib 3adapted to cooperate with a resilient packing 5 arranged on theunderside of the cover 4. The cover consists of two hingedly connectedsections one of which in the usual manner being swingably mounted onhinges mounted outside the coaming. The sections may be opened andclosed in any arbitrary manner for instance by a tackle connected to awinch or by some kind of hydraulic apparatus. Studs or hooks 6 arearranged at the edges of the cover at some distance from each other, insuch a manner that a hook or stud, when the cover is closed,

will be located directly above an opening 7 in the flange 2. In eachopening there is arranged a fitting, which consists of a main membershaped as an inverted U. When the cover is in closed position, thismember may be brought to cooperate with a stud 6. A rod 9 is fixedbetween the open ends of the U-rnember so as to form a pivot for a twoarmed lever 10, which thus becomes swingably mounted between'the shanksof the U-member. One arm 11 of the lever is shaped as an eccentric discwith a top part designed as a circular arc with its centre in the rod 9.The top part extends to both sides of an elongation of longitudinal axisof the handle and merges to one side of the disc into an arc withsmaller radius. The pressure is thus obtained by a downwards movementwhilethe lever is at an angle to the coaming. The lever may finally bebrought to or even somewhat beyond the vertical position, where it isout of the way, without the pressure being unduly increased. The otherarm 12 of the lever is designed as a handle to fit a tool 13, which actsas an elongation of the lever arm.

In order permanently to retain the fitting with the coaming a lockingbar 14 is utilized. When the fitting has been placed in the opening thisbar is inserted between the shanks of the U-member and is then attachedto the lower side of the flange. The lower surface of this bar will actas a counterpart for the eccentric disc 11. When the fitting is not usedthe bottom part of the U-member will reset upon the locking bar wherethe fitting forms no hindrance during loading and unloading. When thecover shall be latched down the lever arm 12 is brought to a horizontalposition and lifted. Hereby that part of the eccentric disc which hasthe shortest radius will be brought into contact with the locking bar14. U-member 5.3 can now be lifted to its highest position and broughtinto contact with stud 6. The lever is thereafter forced downwards insuch a manner that the eccentric may force [the sealing strip againstrib 3 and be retained in this posithe openings are made sufficientlylarge to just permit the movements of the fitting.

What I claim is:

1. In a latching device for a hatch cover comprising a coamingsurrounding a hatch opening, a cover adapted to rest on said coamingwhen in closed position and a number of fitting for securing said coverto said coaming an outwardly directed horizontal flange at at least twosides of the coaming and a number of openings in said flange a number ofstuds on the edges of the cover, each stud located in a position tomatch a flange opening when the cover is in closed position a fitting ineach flange opening consisting of a main member shaped as an inverted Uand adapted for cooperation with a stud a lever consisting of aneccentric disc and a handle pivotally mounted between the ends of theshanks of the U-member and a locking bar fitted between the shanksintermediate the lever and the bottom of the U-member and at tached tothe lower side of the flange for cooperation with said eccentric disc.

2. A latching device according to claim 1 in which the eccentric dischas a top part defined by a circular arc with its centre in the pivot ofthe lever said top part extending to both sides of an extension of thelongitudinal axis of the handle.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 722,440 1/55 GreatBritain.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A LATCHING DEVICE FOR A HATCH COVER COMPRISING A COAMINGSURROUNDING A HATCH OPENING, A COVER ADAPTED TO REST ON SAID COAMINGWHEN IN CLOSED POSITION AND A NUMBER OF FITTING FOR SECURING SAID COVERTO SAID COAMING AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTED HORIZONTAL FLANGE AT AT LEAST TWOSIDES OF THE COAMING AND A NUMBER OF OPENINGS IN SAID FLANGE A NUMBER OFSTUDS ON THE EDGES OF THE COVER, EACH STUD LOCATED IN A POSITION TOMATCH A FLANGE OPENING WHEN THE COVER IS IN CLOSED POSITION A FITTING INEACH FLANGE OPENING CONSISTING OF A MAIN MEMBER SHAPED AS AN INVERTED UAND ADAPTED FOR COOPERATION WITH A STUD A LEVER CONSISTING OF ANECCENTRIC DISC AND A HANDLE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BETWEEN THE ENDS OF THESHANKS OF THE U-MEMBER AND A LOCKING BAR FITTED BETWEEN THE SHANKSINTERMEDIATE THE LEVER AND THE BOTTOM OF THE U-MEMBER AND ATTACHED TOTHE LOWER SIDE OF THE FLANGE FOR COOPERATION WITH SAID ECCENTRIC DISC.